CyanogenMod is a large entity, with millions of users and a healthy amount of news coverage. Unfortunately, this occasionally has some unintended consequences.

It seems that the trademark for software applications of the name “Cronus” has been previously granted to another entity. Though our widget “Chronus” is in no way similar to this entities’ software, we have been served with a Cease & Desist.

While we maintain that there is no infringement, we likewise, do not have the time or resources to fight this C&D. Therefore, we will be changing the name of the widget.

Pick our LockClock widget’s new name

“Lemons into lemonade” and all that, help us pick a new name for the widget! As with previous posts of this nature, the final selection will be made by the CM team and is not subject to a popularity poll; this is not a contest.﻿

Trademark law is ass backwards and useless, and it forces legal action to be taken when it is not necessary. I doubt that those filing really even give a damn, they're doing it to keep the mark in case of real infringement. ﻿

Don't bend over so easily - is this a C&D order, or just a letter from lawyers? If it is a letter, you have no legal reason to cease or desist yet - and if you aren't charging for Chronus, and if it's completely different in it's context aside from being software, then there's no monetary compensation they can ask for - it's merely them saying they think people will confuse the two... but if it's not even the same thing, then how's that possible. Do you need to register Chronus as a legal name? Why not just name it that and don't register it in any legal context... people can't go after you if they make something similar because you can (should be able to) prove you made it before they did.

I also can't believe there's no lawyers who use CM and can't chime in with maybe some free legal advice, perhaps even reviewing the C&D to see how much merit it carries with it.

IMHO, contact them for clarification on why a C&D is necessary - if no answer, maintain your path. if you get an order from a judge, then look at a new name.

I still don't see the problem though - are you marketing Chronus in any way?﻿

I agree with +Eli Sand. At this stage, you don't need to do anything unless its an actual Court Order. Don't just fold to any letter, if they believe it is worth dragging through the courts, then let them.

I wonder who you got that C&D from?Searching the US Trademark site brings up several Cronus hits. However only one is related to software. However the area of software is different from Cyanogenmod so with my understanding they shouldn't be able to give out a C&D...

You should name it: 'FACE'. As in the face of a clock, watch, the first thing you see on the face of your screen as you turn it on. Also, it could make for a awesome accolade - Fucking Awesome Cyanogen Epicness ﻿

Its pretty similar but it would avoid the C&D. "Chrono" means "indicates time". Seems perfect replacement for Chronus. (Yes, this does make a slight reference to a fav RPG of mine, but the developer does not own the rights to the word Chrono, just the entire title.)﻿

epoch applies to the beginning of a new period marked by radical changes and new developments - while era applies to the entire period; age denotes a period identified with some dominant personality or characteristic and period pertains to any portion of time﻿